NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Fri, 09 Dec 2016 15:28:37 +0000http://peoriapublicradio.org
Associated PressCARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) - Alcohol will soon be on the menu at Southern Illinois University. The school's board voted on Thursday to allow the sales of beer and wine at campus events. The decision to join other universities around the state that already allow alcohol sales comes as colleges are trying to find ways to increase revenues to cope with dwindling state funding. Supporters of the decision say it will increase attendance at sporting events on campus.Southern Illinois University approves campus alcohol saleshttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/southern-illinois-university-approves-campus-alcohol-sales
68161 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgFri, 09 Dec 2016 15:02:08 +0000Southern Illinois University approves campus alcohol salesJamey DunnSeveral new members of the General Assembly will take office in January. We plan to catch up with some of them to see why they wanted the job and what they hope to accomplish as lawmakers. First up is Dave Severin. The Republican beat Democratic Representative John Bradley in a hard-fought campaign for the 117th House district. Illinois Public Radio's Jamey Dunn talked with Severin , a small business owner and longtime school board member from Benton. Republican Dave Severin , soon to be a new state representative. He defeated John Bradley in the recent election. He spoke with IPR's Jamey Dunn.Severin Among Wave of New Lawmakers Headed to Springfieldhttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/severin-among-wave-new-lawmakers-headed-springfield
68160 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgFri, 09 Dec 2016 12:44:51 +0000Severin Among Wave of New Lawmakers Headed to SpringfieldAmanda VinickyIllinois' wealthy governor is calling for state legislators to go without pay. State legislators last received paychecks in June. That's according to the comptroller's office, which is responsible for the delay. The comptroller has put elected officials' pay in a queue, along with $10 billion of other overdue bills Illinois can't afford to immediately pay. A group of Democratic representatives are suing to reinstate their monthly income. Gov. Bruce Rauner criticized them in a video message. "If they won't do a balanced budget they shouldn't be paid first. No budget no pay." Critics - including the legislators behind the suit -- point out that's easy for Rauner to say, given that he made almost $188 million last year. While Rauner's message might sound great to frustrated taxpayers, courts have already ruled withholding legislators' pay to be unconstitutional. But whether it's legal to delay their paychecks because there isn't enough money in the bank? That's what a Cook County courtRauner Criticizes Democrats for Lawsuit Over Pay Delayhttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/rauner-criticizes-democrats-lawsuit-over-pay-delay
68159 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgFri, 09 Dec 2016 12:31:02 +0000Rauner Criticizes Democrats for Lawsuit Over Pay DelayAssociated PressCHICAGO (AP) - The Chicago Cubs' World Series trophy is hitting the road on a tour that includes a stop in Peoria. In a news release, the team announced the tour will begin at the Cubs Team Store on Michigan Avenue on Dec. 9 and at City Hall on Dec. 15. After that, the trophy will make stops throughout Illinois. Among the cities the trophy will visit before Opening Day are Peoria, Bloomington, Champaign, Freeport, the Quad Cities, Rockford and Springfield. The trophy will visit South Bend, Indiana, as well as Des Moines and other Iowa communities. It will also be taken to Mesa, Arizona in time for spring training. Cubs World Series trophy going on multi-state road triphttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/cubs-world-series-trophy-going-multi-state-road-trip
68158 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgFri, 09 Dec 2016 12:18:54 +0000 Cubs World Series trophy going on multi-state road tripTanya KoonceRivian Automotive is in discussions to purchase the vacant 2.4 million square foot Mitsubishi Motors plant in Normal.Rivian Automotive Considers Closed Mitsubishi Planthttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/rivian-automotive-considers-closed-mitsubishi-plant
68156 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgFri, 09 Dec 2016 00:25:42 +0000Rivian Automotive Considers Closed Mitsubishi PlantAmanda VinickyAfter calling for daily meetings with Illinois' top leaders, Governor Bruce Rauner called off one that had been scheduled for today. In a statement, his office said Democrats were unprepared for the next steps in budget talks. Today the Republican took that message to voters, with a video on social media.Rauner Calls Off Budget Meeting With Democratic Leadershttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/rauner-calls-budget-meeting-democratic-leaders
68147 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgThu, 08 Dec 2016 21:19:50 +0000Rauner Calls Off Budget Meeting With Democratic LeadersCass HerringtonMiddle Schoolers from Peoria’s school district braved the below freezing temperatures and laced on ice skates Thurs. The Peoria Public School Foundation and PNC Bank sponsored two days of ice skating this week for more than 200 students enrolled in the Horizons Club. The club meets weekly and aims to prepare students for high school, students and beyond. Foundation President Cindy Morris says this week’s ice skating outing is a reward for good behavior, but it’s also a chance to give some students a new experience. “I was with some kids from Lincoln School, and many of our students who come to this special incentive, it’s their first time ice skating,” Morris said. In addition to the ice skating, students received lunch and a pair of blue mittens -- a sensible touch, given the day’s wind chill of negative seven. “Don’t fall,” Calvin Coolidge seventh grader Evelyn Bowers told her classmate, Mariah Lobdell, who was skating for the first time. Bowers took a break from her coaching to tellHorizon Club Students Get a Frozen Field Dayhttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/horizon-club-students-get-frozen-field-day
68141 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgThu, 08 Dec 2016 18:55:54 +0000Horizon Club Students Get a Frozen Field DayAssociated Press A large survey of transgender Americans paints a grim picture of pervasive discrimination and harassment affecting that population. The Transgender Society of Peoria and service providers estimate between 1,000-1,500 transgender people live in the Peoria region. The study , published by the National Center for Transgender Equality, assesses 2015 data from 27,715 respondents from all 50 states. It says while there have been notable gains for transgender rights in recent years, the latest data shows little or no improvement in terms of transgender people's day-to-day experiences with bias. In fact, one finding remained virtually unchanged since the previous study in 2008. About 40 percent of respondents say they have attempted suicide at some point. As school districts in Illinois and nationwide grapple with developing bathroom policies that offer protections to transgender students, the research suggests that bullying and safety may be another topic to consider. In its data collected onMajor Survey Shows Transgender People Face Grim Challengeshttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/major-survey-shows-transgender-people-face-grim-challenges
68130 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgThu, 08 Dec 2016 16:09:39 +0000Major Survey Shows Transgender People Face Grim ChallengesAssociated PressCHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois State Geological Survey says it has been awarded a pair of federal grants worth a total of more than $12.6 million to try to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions from the use of fossil fuels. The Geological Survey said Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Energy grants will pay for a project to research the feasibility of commercial-scale underground storage of carbon dioxide. The work will build on a pre-existing project in the Mt. Simon Formation in Decatur. The second Energy Department-financed project will study the details of potential storage at another site in east-central Illinois.Energy Department grants to fund Illinois CO2 projects http://peoriapublicradio.org/post/energy-department-grants-fund-illinois-co2-projects
68126 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgThu, 08 Dec 2016 15:21:31 +0000Energy Department grants to fund Illinois CO2 projects Jim MeadowsThe nuclear power plant located near the small central Illinois town of Clinton will be around for at least another decade. Governor Bruce Rauner signed legislation W ednesday that subsidizes Exelon’s nuclear facilities, and prevents the Clinton and Quad-Cities nuclear plants from closing. Exelon says its Clinton plant has been a money-loser for some time. But it’s been a big part of the economy in Clinton and DeWitt County ever since initial construction began in the 1970s. Illinois Public Radio’s Jim Meadows reports on the economy of a little town with a big power plant. You can’t see the Clinton nuclear plant from Clinton. It’s located nine miles out of town. But Clinton felt the impact when Exelon said the plant might close. They felt it at the Shack, a Clinton diner that’s been serving up hamburgers and hand-packed milkshakes for nearly a century. Shannon Williamson, part of the family that owns the Shack, says that when Exelon announced last summer that it would shut the plantNuclear Plant Deal Offers Hope for Economic Revivalhttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/nuclear-plant-deal-offers-hope-economic-revival
68121 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgThu, 08 Dec 2016 13:12:34 +0000Nuclear Plant Deal Offers Hope for Economic RevivalTanya KoonceThe 1st District Peoria City Council Seat has some competition in the April 4th. David Berry is challenging the incumbent, Councilwoman Denise Moore. He made a formal announcement yesterday. Berry says the incumbent is doing a good job on the whole but he would like to see more: “Now issue I am seeing overall 1st District is that when it comes to public funding it’s nearly 100-percent going to private sector projects and in some cases there are zero dollars going to job train and continuing education.” The first district holds one of the 100 poorest zip codes in the country, and it also has more black residents than the other four districts combined. Berry, who is white says skin color aside, making sure the city addresses poverty issues will improve the standard of living for everyone in the first district. The Denise Moore and David Berry are the only two candidates for First District Peoria City Council seat. They’ll move through the February 29th primary and compete in the AprilFirst District Challenger Formally Announces Campaignhttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/first-district-challenger-formally-announces-campaign
68120 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgThu, 08 Dec 2016 12:42:04 +0000First District Challenger Formally Announces CampaignAPCHICAGO (AP) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan says the Jimmy John's sandwich chain has agreed to stop requiring low-level employees to sign agreements preventing them from seeking jobs with competitors.Jimmy John's To End Non-Compete Deals http://peoriapublicradio.org/post/jimmy-johns-end-non-compete-deals
68116 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgThu, 08 Dec 2016 00:50:49 +0000Jimmy John's To End Non-Compete Deals Amanda VinickyIllinois' new comptroller is making changes, just days after taking office. State employees expecting a bonus will have to wait. Non-unionized employees were awarded bonuses this fall. That became a liability for Republican Comptroller Leslie Munger's campaign. Munger at the time said she had no choice but to process them. Critics -- including Munger's then opponent, Democrat Susana Mendoza, pounced.Mendoza Freezes State Employee Bonuseshttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/mendoza-freezes-state-employee-bonuses
68113 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgThu, 08 Dec 2016 00:07:01 +0000Mendoza Freezes State Employee BonusesJason RosenbaumU.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says his Democratic colleagues will pose tough questions to President-elect Donald Trump’s appointees. The Illinois Democrat will get to vote on Trump’s cabinet nominees, including U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions’ appointment as attorney general. Durbin has worked closely with Sessions in the past, but has also diverged from the Alabama Republican on certain issues. Durbin says he wants Sessions to lay out his views on immigration and overhauling criminal justice.Durbin Plans to Press Trump Nomineeshttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/durbin-plans-press-trump-nominees
68112 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgWed, 07 Dec 2016 23:14:36 +0000Durbin Plans to Press Trump NomineesHerb TrixCheerleaders, a pep band, and hundreds of happy Exelon workers welcomed Governor Bruce Rauner to northwest Illinois today (wed). At Riverdale High School in Port Byron, he signed the bill that will keep open nuclear power plants in Cordova, near the Quad Cities, and Clinton in central Illinois. Illinois Public Radio's Herb Trix reports. Rauner congratulated the General Assembly for approving the Future Energy Jobs Bill.Rauner Signs Energy Jobs Billhttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/rauner-signs-energy-jobs-bill
68100 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgWed, 07 Dec 2016 22:26:03 +0000Rauner Signs Energy Jobs BillAssociated PressCHICAGO (AP) - Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says he hand-delivered to Donald Trump a letter from mayors of some of the nation's largest cities urging the incoming president to continue to protect young immigrants. Emanuel told reporters after his Wednesday morning meeting with Trump in New York that the letter asked him to continue a provision that protects immigrants who came to the U.S. before age 16 from deportation. Emanuel says the 14 mayors believe those immigrants are "something we should hold up and embrace." Trump has vowed to repeal Obama administration programs that shield thousands of people from deportation. Emanuel said earlier this week that Trump called him to talk about the White House transition. Emanuel is a former chief of staff to President Barack Obama and worked in the Clinton administration. Emanuel gives letter to Trump asking to protect immigrantshttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/emanuel-gives-letter-trump-asking-protect-immigrants
68088 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgWed, 07 Dec 2016 17:52:43 +0000 Emanuel gives letter to Trump asking to protect immigrantsAssociated PressSPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A judge in southern Illinois has issued a temporary restraining order to keep Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration from imposing contract terms onto state workers. The order this week from Judge Robert LeChien comes after the Illinois Labor Relations Board last month issued an opinion saying contract talks between the state and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union were at an impasse. That ruling let the state impose final contract terms. The major public-employee union recently went to labor-friendly St. Clair County asking the court to bar Republican Rauner from taking action to implement the contract. Judge temporarily blocks Rauner from imposing contract termshttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/judge-temporarily-blocks-rauner-imposing-contract-terms
68083 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgWed, 07 Dec 2016 17:10:40 +0000 Judge temporarily blocks Rauner from imposing contract termsAssociated PressCARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) - Students and researchers from Louisiana State University will travel to Southern Illinois University Carbondale for next year's total solar eclipse. The team, which includes people from two other Louisiana institutions, plans to launch two large weather balloons from Saluki Stadium. The launch will occur about 90 minutes before the total eclipse, set for 1:21 p.m. on Aug. 21. A balloon equipped with a video camera will send real-time images as the moon blots out the sun. That feed will be provided to a NASA television program, which will broadcast from SIU.Students, researchers to visit S. Illinois for solar eclipsehttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/students-researchers-visit-s-illinois-solar-eclipse
68082 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgWed, 07 Dec 2016 14:26:36 +0000Students, researchers to visit S. Illinois for solar eclipseJeff BossertArcheophone , the Champaign-based record label that preserves sounds from the early days of recording, has picked up two more Grammy nominations. They recognize the label’s first foray into sacred music. Illinois Public Radio’s Jeff Bossert has more. Waxing the Gospel is a collection of hymn and spoken word recordings from the 1890’s, with a 400-page book. Those heard in the set range from the Baldwin’s Cadet Band of Boston to evangelists Dwight L. Moody and Ira D. Sankey. They were among the first to use the newest in technology, Thomas Edison’s wax cylinder phonograph, as a means for spreading their faith. Archeophone’s project began a decade ago, and grew larger in scope as the label researched, and reached out to colleagues who regularly collect this material. Co-owner Richard Martin: “We collected what we could . We got a lot of instrumentals and vocals... quartets, and solos. And now we had a 2 CD set, which was very exciting. But then, it grew again.” The release is split into‘Waxing’ Nets Two More Nominations For Champaign-Based Archeophonehttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/waxing-nets-two-more-nominations-champaign-based-archeophone
68079 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgWed, 07 Dec 2016 13:46:22 +0000‘Waxing’ Nets Two More Nominations For Champaign-Based ArcheophoneAmanda VinickyRepublican Governor Bruce Rauner and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan may not agree on much when it comes to the Illinois budget. As they negotiate both men apparently find it helpful to accuse the other of pushing for a tax increase. Rauner, Madigan and the legislature’s other top leaders discussed the budget privately Tuesday in Chicago.Madigan, Rauner Continue to Play Blame Gamehttp://peoriapublicradio.org/post/madigan-rauner-continue-play-blame-game
68073 as http://peoriapublicradio.orgWed, 07 Dec 2016 12:48:20 +0000Madigan, Rauner Continue to Play Blame Game